Hitzlsperger relishing Villa reunion

West Ham new boy Thomas Hitzlsperger is relishing the prospect of returning to former club Aston Villa on the opening day of the new season. The Germany midfielder, 28, will join on a free transfer on July 1 following the expiry of his contract at Italian side Lazio.Hitzlsperger made 114 appearances for Villa in a five-year spell and cannot wait to face them when the season starts on August 14.He told the club's official website: "It's funny - you know sometimes these things don't surprise you because you think it might happen! I am looking forward to it, it will be good to go back there."I made over 100 appearances for them in the time I was there and it was great but I am looking forward to going there as a West Ham player and helping my new club to hopefully get a good result."It is still a little way off yet I know but I am getting a little impatient now for it to all start. I am looking forward to meeting the manager and my new team-mates and for pre-season to begin and then for the season to start. Now the fixtures are out, it is exciting. I can't wait to get started as a West Ham player."

Source: Team_Talk